I’m back from the UK and am eager to bring more great guests for you. First, though, I want to thank all of you who reached out to me while I was away. Your concern for my welfare was more than touching. I’m forever grateful to my listeners.

Today, our main guest is Casey Huffman, AKA Vegas. Casey hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2023, and he shares his story with an infectious enthusiasm which, he’ll concede, may not have been there when he set out on his adventure. A solo hiker, and somewhat introverted, he even became the Prom King of the Class of 2023!

Casey has a Youtube channel, though he tells me that it isn’t all about hiking, so pick your way through it. https://youtube.com/@vegasthepiedpiper?si=izi8BQ2K8TY7nUdv

Also today, our Mighty Blue Class of 2024 starts catching up with hikers already into the second half of their hike. Today, it’s Bobby Campbell, or Sloggy, who shares the first half of his own thru-hike with us.

We need a few more members of the Mighty Blue Class of 2024, so reach out to me at [email protected] if you have a candidate for me to track down.

Finally today, I’m starting a new book! Happy Hiking, by my friend, Emily Leonard is–of course–written from a woman’s POV and a woman’s voice. I hope you enjoy listening to it. If you’d like to buy the book, you can find it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Hiking-Falling-Appalachian-Trail/dp/1736156802 , or on Emily’s website, at https://www.emilysescapades.com/product-page/happy-hiking

I used my recent hike in the UK on the South West Coast Path to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I’ve been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting https://parentingmattersfl.org/eventer/hike-with-steve-empowering-parents-one-step-at-a-time/edate/2024-04-15/. I hope you want to support this critical mission.

Don’t forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA8ImK4qpNc&list=PLu8u88nsJtgWZxT8DLwEW2yXcz4gT6HXs There, you’ll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out.

I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I’m sure several of you say, “I could do that. I’ve got an awesome story to tell.” You’re the person we need to hear from. If you’d like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I’ll be in touch. https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/mighty-blue-on-the-appalachian-trail-the-ultimate-mid-life-c/guests/intake/

If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com .

If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received.

You can also support our shows by visiting our online "Merch" store. Check it out at https://hrntradingpost.com/ , or click on the store button on our network website at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com .

If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.